Royal Challengers Bangalore team in Indian Premier League 2015 for IPL Season 8

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had a forgettable campaign in the previous season of Indian Premier League (IPL), finishing seventh in the points table. The 2009 and 2011 runners-up, despite having a powerhouse of a batting lineup for some reasons failed to go the distance. Led by India’s star batsman Virat Kohli, RCB will be hoping to make it count this season.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore are a franchise cricket team based in Bengaluru, Karnataka that plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The team has made two final appearances in the IPL, losing both (in 2009 to the Deccan Chargers and in 2011 to the Chennai Super Kings). The team also finished runners-up in the 2011 CLT20. The home ground of the Royal Challengers is the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Team Composition: With the kind of batting RCB possesses, it straightaway makes them one of the favourites to lift the coveted trophy. Virat Kohli, AB de Villers, Chris Gayle and Dinesh Karthik make up for RCB’s magnificent batting order. Except Karthik, all the other big names were present in RCB ranks along with Yuvraj Singh, last season and despite that, they failed to make it to playoffs. Mitchell Starc’s unavailability for the first part of IPL has weakened RCB bowling attack, but the camp will be hopeful that Varun Aaron, Sean Abbott and Adam Milne live up to expectations. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was a revelation for RCB last season and was quite economical. RCB will also have services of Iqbal Abdulla, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, in the spin department. Former West Indies Darren Sammy’s presences lends vital balance to the team.

Star Player: RCB is lucky to have Proteas ODI skipper AB de Villiers. The player of his class and potential can change the game in a blink of an eye. De Villiers’ innovative stroke making is what differs him from the rest. It will be a nightmare for bowlers if he gets going.

Prediction: RCB has the firepower to lift the title that has been eluding them, but they have always had the potential. If their batting unit clicks, this season may well be their first title win.